As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
We tend to see what we are looking for. My wife and I did a Camino in 2017. I remember seeing this Asian girl on the path. She traveled alone and looked fit, self-contained and spiritual. A few times I noticed her when we stopped for a meal or ended the day at accommodation. She seemed to always be occupied in a small book. Sometimes she was sitting in a corner. Other times she was under a tree. And once, she was on a ledge leaning against a wall. But she always had her head in this small book. I assumed it was a bible or other holy scripture that she was using to add a spiritual dimension to her day. If I had to guess her profession, she was probably a yoga instructor, teacher or even a woman considering a future as a nun. About 15 days into the trip, Bernie came back with our dinner and the girl was with her. We all talked and in that encounter, i discovered that she was a management consultant in her late 30s trying to recover from burnout. And the little book she was reading was A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino De Santiago (Camino Frances St. Jean Pied De Port - Santiago) By: John Brierley.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we miss the reality of a situation because we see what we expect to see. Jesus came with a radical message about power and how it needs to be used for the betterment of others and the servanting of self. He showed the world what it looks like to forgo one’s ego and live a life oriented toward God's will. How do we see John when we are expecting Eliza or see the power in sacrifice when we are looking for power in domination and the sword? “Open the eyes of my heart Lord. I want to see you” https://youtu.be/idQ1n3cdgfo?si=YMQLPfrkk2i72XkA
DeleteI find your response to Mt 17:9a, 10-13 insightful and relatable. You draw a powerful parallel between the disciples' misidentification of John the Baptist and your own initial perception of the Asian woman on the Camino. This highlights the human tendency to see what we expect to see, often missing the true reality of a situation.
Here are some specific points I appreciate:
Preconceived notions: You acknowledge how your own assumptions about the woman's profession and spirituality influenced your initial perception. This resonates with the disciples' expectation of Elijah, leading them to miss the connection to John the Baptist.
Openness to new information: Your encounter with the woman and subsequent conversation allowed you to see her beyond your initial assumptions and appreciate her individual journey. This reflects the importance of seeking understanding rather than clinging to preconceived notions.
Connection to Jesus' message: You link the theme of misidentification to Jesus' teachings on power and ego. You highlight his emphasis on servant leadership and selflessness, contrasting it with the expectation of worldly dominance.
Prayer for open eyes: Your closing prayer to "open the eyes of my heart" resonates beautifully with the passage. It reflects a desire for deeper understanding and a willingness to see beyond the surface.
Overall, your response invites us to reflect on the following:
How do our biases and expectations influence our perception of others and the world around us?
How can we cultivate openness and curiosity to see things as they truly are?
How can we embody Jesus' message of servant leadership and selflessness in our daily lives?
How can we open our hearts and minds to experience the presence of God in unexpected places and people?
By engaging with these questions and striving for greater understanding, we can create a more compassionate and connected world.
I commend you for your thoughtful reflection and for sharing your personal experience. It serves as a reminder that true understanding often comes from looking beyond the surface and approaching others with an open heart and mind.
Thank you for sharing your insights!